Officers were investigating a report of someone breaking into cars at Spicetree Apartments, located 4854 Washtenaw Avenue in Pittsfield Township, just after 9 a.m. when another call came in that three suspects with backpacks were stealing bikes in the apartment complex.

Police believed the two incidents were possibly related, Schick said.

"We searched the area and a foot chase ensued," he added. "The suspects ditched the bikes, and then ran on foot through the neighborhood and residential backyards, and (within) proximity to Carpenter School."

The school resumed normal activities when the three suspects were apprehended, according to police.

Three boys -- a 17-year-old, 16-year-old and 15-year-old, all of Ypsilanti -- were taken into custody.

Schick said the bikes were recovered. Two of the boys were released pending interviews with the property owners. One was detained because he had a juvenile pick-up order, Schick said.

John Counts covers crime and breaking news for The Ann Arbor News. He can be reached at johncounts@mlive.com or you can follow him on Twitter. Find all Washtenaw County crime stories here.